Driving the transition to a low-carbon future

New car average CO2

New car average CO2 has fallen significantly since 2000. The automotive industry has spent billions of pounds developing advanced engine, fuel and battery technologies to help drive down CO2 emissions. These ongoing improvements mean average CO2 is still a third (-33.1%) lower than in 2000.

Despite cars being ever more efficient, the average UK new car CO2 has risen 0.8% in 2017, the first rise in two decades.

The shift away from diesel is in part responsible for this and although there is an ever-increasing range of alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) on the market, encouraging greater uptake will be crucial to meet climate change goals and industry targets

New car technology

New car technology has improved efficiency. New cars on sale in 2017 emit -12.6% less carbon dioxide than the equivalent older models. Massive investment by manufacturers into advanced powertrains, lightweight materials and aerodynamics means new cars are becoming ever more efficient.

Average new car CO2 emissions rose for the first time on record in 2017, up 0.8% to 121.0g/km.

A 2017 car has on average CO2 emissions 33.1% lower than in 2000 and 20% lower than the average car in use.

Industry is delivering even lower CO2 emitting products, and new models introduced in 2017 had CO2 emissions on average 12.6% lower than the model they replaced.

Member Services

SMMT represents the UK automotive industry through the membership of companies involved in design, concept, manufacture, sale, after sale, disposal and recycling of motor vehicles, components and accessories.